Will Campbell: Why the Bust Label is Wrong (So Far)

Upon reading Brian's comments on the depth chart that was released today, I was disappointed to read his thoughts. Reading the user comments on the post, I become further disappointed with many of my fellow Wolverine brethern. With defensive tackles, alot of them were bigger and stronger than their level of competition in high school, so they simply dominated by pure athleticism, not by great technique. My theory is that many of these DT need to have their technique refined so that they can hang with D-1 players, and plus alot of them need conditioning. So I decided to look at the 2009 recruiting class for DT, using Rivals ratings and looking at the top 25 DTs.

Looking at the breakdown, 12 of the top 25 DTs redshirted (48%). 3 failed to qualify (12%). 2 were kicked off the team (8%). So during their freshman year, only 8 defensive tackles made any contribution to the team (32%). Glossing over the stats, the only 3 guys who made a noticeable impact were Jamarkus McFarland (played since Sooners lost Gerald McCoy to draft), Jaccobi McDaniel (FSU has had severe attrition on D-Line and poor depth and thus McDaniel was forced to play), and Dequinta Jones (a Michigan decommit who we lost on Signing Day). No one DT was a dominant player as a true freshman that you would say "Damn, this guy is a NFL top 5 pick"

Looking at the chart for past performances for true freshmen DTs and the fact that we all knew that Will Campbell's biggest knock was his technique, he should have been redshirted last year. But because of defensive attrition and poor D-Line depth, he was forced to play. What I plan to do is revist this chart at the end of the year and see what all has changed for the remaining 20 DTs who are eligible. Then I believe we'll have a better picture on whether Will Campbell is going down the All-American or 5 Star Bust path.

Personally, I don't really give a rat's ass that Will Campbell hasn't contributed much yet. If the defensive depth weren't so terrible, he wouldn't have played last year. And we've got a potential All Big Ten or All American nose guard ahead of him, so who cares?

Campbell's technique is atrocious. His first move out of his three-point is to stand straight up and invite the offensive lineman to gain low position. Usually, his next move is then to attempt a swim move (as an interior lineman, standing straight up, allowing the offensive lineman to get under his pads and drive him wheresoever the olineman pleases). This is why he often gets his ass kicked despite being huge and athletic for his size.

To make a long story short, he has no understanding of leverage and looks like he just got out of high school. He has been in the program for over a year and should at least be improving on these fronts if he is really going to contribute at DT. I don't know if its coaching, lack of desire or a combination of the two, but him not keeping his ass down out of his three-point is something you can correct quickly (e.g. weeks/months, not year) if the kid is properly motivated. I think Gerry DiNardo might be on to something when he says he thinks Campbell might be better suited as an OT.

"out of these tunnels will come the meanest, toughest sonsabitches ever to put on pads"

I was referring to the tape from the Big Ten spring preview, but you are correct in asserting that was somewhat limited. Over a year in the program should have resulted in him at least getting his ass down out of his three-point. This is, again, something that can be coached in weeks/months not over a year. I won't speculate as to why he's not doing it yet (e.g. the coaching or effort question), but it is very worrisome that he hasn't corrected a basic aspect of his technique.

"out of these tunnels will come the meanest, toughest sonsabitches ever to put on pads"

I believe he means that they played him so he would have some experience for when McCoy was gone. In other words, had he been a junior and not looked like he was leaving, he would have ridden the bench. I'm not sure I agree with him, but I think that's the point.

The panic is spreading like wildfire! Campbell got singled out for showing up out of shape, now he's down on the depth chart. Shouldn't be this big of a surprise. Gabe Watson and Alan Branch wore out the path between the doghouse and the field, and Campbell has similar physical gifts. He'll be fine if he can handle the tough coaching.

Campbell still has time. Hopefully he can spend this season improving his technique and getting a bit more game experience. That way next year, when we really need him, hopefully he'll be ready to start giving hell to opposing OLs.

I do not mean to pry, but you don't by any chance happen to have six fingers on your right hand?

Based on the two deep, it does not look like Campbell will get much playing time this year to answer very many questions. Unless he gets switched to a different position (unlikely?).

Life should not be a journey to the grave to arrive safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming "Wow! What A Ride!" HST

You mean based on a depth chart that, at this time last year, said Brandon Herron was starting at LB, had Troly Woolfolk as a safety, and didn't contain Jordan Kovacs (our 2nd leading tackler) or Roy Roundtree (our most effective WR). This document, etched in granite, shall determine all playing time decisions in the next 13 games.

They don't need him to start next year. Martin is a junior, so no doubt the coaches would love to redshirt Will if they can -- otherwise, he's looking at not starting until he's a senior. Moving Adam Patterson over from DE this year would seem to indicate they are going to try to redshirt him, but it really depends on how well Patterson plays behind Martin.

His best-case scenario is redshirting this year, playing behind Martin next year, and then spending the next two years on the Lombardi Award short list.

While I don't get some of the "BRIAN'SBEINGNEGATIVE!" hysteria, I do think calling any underclassmen - regardless of "hype" - a bust is far too premature.

Not only is DT a position that often requires a player to learn technique he never needed in HS, but, building on top of what the poster mentions re: redshirting, these past few years of attrition have thrust young players into positions previously not required by the UM football program.

Back in the day, rumors of a player "not getting it" or not developing "fast enough" were just that - rumors. Chris Perry getting transfer papers from Lloyd, Braylon being a hothead as a frosh, etc. Those stories (1) weren't reported as fast/furiously in that media day, and (2) weren't as relevant at a time when U of M didn't require much from its underclassmen.

The past few years, this regime hasn't had the benefit to redshirt/stash underclassmen, and thus, we're seeing kids on the field that, admittedly, aren't ready, but it's obfuscating the fact that underclassmen are rarely ready.

He looked disinterested in the drills on the Big Ten replay, but several times last year in game action he looked really good and got some penetration and disrupted things in the middle.

I think it's important to note that tall NT have a hard time keeping their pads down in general. Guys like Renes and Zorich were guys who would excel in this defense because they were agile and were short enough to always have their pads underneath the OL. It's tough for guy's with certain types of bodies to play on the interior DL. If he's top heavy, then there is no way he can play effectively inside, but he looks to have his weight pretty evenly distributed on his frame. I think there is much conjecture from people who don't know about interior line play. If BWC stands straight up and eats up the center and one of the guards...who cares where his hands are.

The guy has obviously worked hard at times or he wouldn't come into camp having lost weight, but the type of conditioning they are talking about is tough on big guys to do and there has to be some line of demarcation from 323 DL and 265LB DEs in the conditioning tests, but apparently there is not. I would have loved to see him practice with more passion than I have in the past, but some guys are just gamers and I think he's a gamer.

Obviously, we are at least a year away from drawing any conclusions about Campbell. By the same token, it was widely reported that he showed up for camp over-weight and out of shape.

Now, it may be that if the program had normal depth, Campbell would have redshirted last year. But as he didn’t redshirt, he has the advantage of actual Division I competition, where he would have seen first-hand the difference between high school (where he could overpower almost anybody with raw strength) and college (where that is no longer possible without proper conditioning and technique).

So let’s not kid ourselves. On a preliminary basis, it has to be at least somewhat disappointing that he can’t crack the two-deep, especially if lack of effort in the off-season is a contributing factor. There is still time for him to avoid the “bust” label, but he has some work to do.

Not being on the 2-deep has to be considered a significant but he is far from a bust yet. Looking at him conditioning seems like the biggest issue. Hopefully he isn't totally in the doghouse and gets on the field enough to work his way back up.

it's hard to rid the world of ignorance and those rip sophomore DTs. the coaches on this board could probably answer better than me, but i would think DT (or NT) is one of the hardest positions to step into and contribute early; especially if up against more experienced OL.

i would think most DTs need to add "good weight" and learn technique when they get on campus. QBs and Centers may be the only tougher positions, imo.

The guy has so much potential and talent he just needs to start improving his technique and conditioning. We still have Mike Martin at the postion this year but hopefully Will realizes he can start next year and gets himself in shape next year.